We are tracking NES Classic stock for several stores that have received new NES Classic inventory in the past weeks. The list of stores that are getting supplied by Nintendo is rather short. Besides Walmart, GameStop, Target and ToysRUs only the Nintendo flagship store in New York had the NES in stock.

NES Classic Inventory Updates by Store

NES Classic at TargetThe inventory indicator at BrickSeek for Target stays at 22% on Feb. 8. The high number sounds good, but we can't spot any Target store with NES in stock. Might be a glitch. See the list of Target stores with NES stock on brickseek.com. There are more reports about finding the NES at Walmart stores. See below.

NES Classic at WalmartIn stock level of NES Classic at Walmart stores improved this morning from 1% to 12%, according to BrickSeek on Feb. 8. More consumers have luck scoring a NES at Walmart stores, despite the low inventory level. A pro tip is to the "View Barcode" feature next to the UPC code in BrickSeek in a Walmart store to have store associates scan it to check for inventory, in case BrickSeek shows stock for that particular store.

NES Classic at GameStopThe NES Classic was last in stock at GameStop online on Feb. 7. GameStop only offered the NES Classic as part of bundles starting at $129.99. Inventory lasted about 10 minutes.

NES Classic at Best BuyThe Nintendo NES Classic was on sale online at bestbuy.com on Tuesday, Feb. 7. Overall the $59.99 NES inventory lasted 40 minutes. This means that the consumer electronics giant must have received a big shipment.

Nintendo is under criticism for bad demand forecasting since years. Part of it is intentional as shortage generates buzz. The downside are the countless hours of people spent in line and the caused frustration. There is no update from Nintendo when the Japanese video game maker will resolve the shortage.

On launch day Nintendo said: "The Nintendo Entertainment System: NES Classic Edition system is a hot item, and we are working hard to keep up with consumer demand. There will be a steady flow of additional systems through the holiday shopping season and into the new year. Please contact your local retailers to check availability."

Nintendo did not make any further comments about the NES Classic supply situation since then. Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime tried to explain last week in an interview why the NES is suffering a shortage.

"When we looked at that proposition what we believed was the adults, 30-40 years old, who grew up playing NES as a kid, 10 years old or so but had stepped away from the gaming category--that was going to be the buyer," Fils-Aime said to GameSpot. "As we thought about that, that led us to a certain level of supply. The reality, however, was that the lapsed gamer and the "more active gamer" bought the NES Classic."

This is a poor excuse. Nintendo apparently does not do focus groups ahead of console launches.

The palm-sized NES console, retailing for $59.99 list price, features the classic Nintendo NES controller many geeks have grown up with. The retro console comes pre-installed with 30 classic NES games including Super Mario Bros., Pac-Man, Metroid, Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda and Kirby's Adventures. The NES Classic Edition system is a miniaturized version of the groundbreaking NES, originally released in 1985.

The Holiday shopping season 2016 has been dominated by the hunt for Hatchimals and the Nintendo NES classic edition. The NES Classic demand is still strong amidst ongoing shortage. In about one months the new Nintendo Switch will go sale and Nintendo fans brace for the worst.

The Nintendo Switch pre-order are sold out. The supply situation might no be as bad as for the NES, but it will be difficult to get a Switch at launch for customers who have not pre-ordered the Switch.

The Author

Luigi LugmayrManfred "Luigi" Lugmayr (Google+) is the founding Chief Editor of I4U News and brings over 25 years
experience in the technology field to the ever evolving and exciting
world of gadgets, tech and online shopping. He started I4U News back in 2000 and evolved it into
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Luigi can be contacted directly at ml[@]i4u.com.